English is a core (compulsory) subject at KS3 and KS4 and no wonder as the exploration and production of texts, confidence in spoken communication and the development of literacy skills are all integral to progress across the curriculum. Beyond this, English is a fascinating subject taking pupils on a journey through functional texts to the very best of literature from across the ages. The passion for English language and literature instilled in pupils by their enthusiastic English teachers continues at KS5 where our A Levels in Literature continues to be a popular choice. This year we have introduced a new subject, A Level English Language to give our students even more choice in the Sixth Form.

Curriculum

KS3

KS3 English offers lots of opportunities for students to develop their writing skills, engage in new and varied texts (both fiction and non-fiction) and explore written and spoken language. Alongside our curriculum below we also teach literacy skills lessons to enable students to make progress in English and across the wider curriculum by improving their reading, writing and grammar skills.

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 7

Transition Unit

The Other Side of Truth

Non-Fiction

Much Ado About Nothing

Creative Writing and Short Stories

Poetry

Preparation for exams

Year 8

War Poetry

Women, Words and War

Romeo and Juliet

Writing to Argue and Persuade

Coram Boy

Of Mice and Men

Preparation for exams

Enrichment activities to do at home

Try to read a selection of the ‘suggested reads’ which accompany each unit of work (given by your teacher)

Years 7s are part of our Accelerated Reader programme – remember to take a quiz within 2 days of reading your library book.

Use a dictionary when you come across a new word and try to use it that day!

Join your local library and set yourself a reading challenge – have you read every book by your favourite author?

Have a go at writing an article for the school website/newsletter.

KS4

Our KS4 programme covers 3 years, from year 9 to year 11. All students are taught both English Language and English Literature and are now following the reformed GCSE (AQA specifications 8700 & 8702 http://www.aqa.org.uk).

Year 9 is used to introduce pupils to the literary texts they will respond to in the final exams, as well as being an introduction to the skills they will need to tackle unseen fiction and non-fiction texts, and practise their own writing for language. In years 10 (and subsequently 11) pupils will revisit the literature texts, study a modern text (novel, short stories or drama) and continue to practise the reading and writing skills.

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 9

Narrative Writing

Fiction Reading

Macbeth – getting to know the play and writing an exam style answer for assessment.

Across the whole of KS4 it is vital that students read regularly. They could read in advance any texts they know they will be studying (and in year 11 they should be re-reading all texts!) but they should also get into the habit of reading non-fiction texts as well. These might include: newspaper articles, blogs, reviews, letters, travel writing. A good website to find all of the above is The Guardian where you can find archives of all sorts of writing which in the past have been used as material on the actual language exam.

Pupils are also given a copy of a recommended reading list for KS4 pupils so they could be reading for pleasure from this – it all helps!

KS5

We currently teach A Level English Literature and A Level English Language.

Year 12 and Year 13 follow the OCR specification for Literature

Literature

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 12

Transition Unit: Introduction to A Level English Literature.

Study for the Shakespeare and Poetry pre-1900 paper: ‘Hamlet’ and poetry by Christina Rossetti.

Study for the Drama and Poetry post-1900 paper: Tennessee Williams’s ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ and introduction to the Gothic genre focusing on approaches to unseen texts and study of Angela Carter’s ‘The Bloody Chamber.’

Continuing study of set texts and preparation for mock exam.

Revision for AS exam.

After exams: preparation for two NEA (non-examined assessment) essays which make up 20% of the A Level grade.

Continuation of work started at the end of Year 12 on the two non-examined assessment essays. (20% of the A Level)

Study of Webster’s ‘Duchess of Malfi’ and comparison with the poetry of Christina Rossetti.

(20% of the A Level)

Students focus on how to respond to an unseen gothic text as well as studying Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ which they will compare with Carter’s ‘Bloody Chamber’. (40% of the A Level)

Continue study of Webster’s ‘Duchess of Malfi’ and comparison with the poetry of Christina Rossetti.

(20% of the A Level)

Students return to study of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ with particular emphasis on close reading of extracts. (20% of the A Level)

Preparation for mock exams

Revision of set texts and consolidation of skills in approaching an unseen text.

Year 12 and Year 13 follow the AQA specification for Language

English Language A-Level is the study of the use and development of the English language. The meaning of our world is shaped through the language we use; English Language A-Level is a socio-linguistics course aimed at exploring how English is used in everyday life and how language shapes our identity, judgement and relationships. The course requires students to develop a critical understanding of language through an introduction to key linguistic concepts and theorists, analysis of a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts, exploration of the history and development of the English Language (including regional language study) and exploration of child language acquisition. Students will need to develop an understanding of key terminology and linguistic theory as well as being able to pursue an independent language investigation. The course requires students to develop critical thinking, analysis, discussion, research and some creative responses. Methods of language analysis underpin each component. Studying English Language A-Level could lead to a Linguistics degree. English Language is also highly regarded by universities and complements studies in Media, Sociology, Psychology, Science and Law.

Language

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 12

Course Introduction Writing Skills

Textual variations and representations

Children’s language development

Methods of language investigation

Language Diversity and Change

Language Investigation

Methods of language analysis

Year 13

Language discourses

Methods of language investigation

Original Writing

Methods of language investigation

Revision for examinations

ENGLISH AND LITERACY WEBSITES

We subscribe to Doddle. Remember to log in to: www.doddlelearn.co.uk with the login details your teacher gives you. You will find tasks that have been assigned by teachers and additional activities.